Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Disney’s “it’s a small world” theme park attraction, guests and cast members at Disney Parks around the globe united Thursday in a historic “It’s a Small World” sing-along.
Fans everywhere joined in online at SmallWorld50.com, a “global hub” of music and harmony created for the Golden Anniversary of the iconic attraction that opened as a tribute to peace and hope, saluting UNICEF, at the 1964 New York World’s Fair.
“‘It’s a small world’ has inspired hundreds of millions of people through its timeless theme,” said Tom Staggs, chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.
“Every moment of every day there are Disney guests enjoying ‘it’s a small world’ somewhere around the globe. The 50th anniversary of this attraction represents a celebration of the shared optimism, hope, and humanity of people throughout the world.”
Richard M. Sherman, the Oscar-winning songwriter who composed “It’s a Small World” with his late brother, Robert, led a sing-along at Disneyland Park in California and participated in a Google Hangout that can be seen at SmallWorld50.com.
Going into Thursday’s events, visitors from more than 150 nations had already joined the celebration at SmallWorld50.com.
They have designed enough digital dolls and recorded enough videos of themselves singing the song to reach half of Disney’s goal on the site, and they will continue to play along through May 30.
Disney will donate $150,000 to benefit UNICEF as part of the anniversary celebration, plus $1 for every video or doll created, up to $100,000.
UNICEF works to provide health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more to children around the world.
